stephenson



2'Sl1 eets -Sheet l.

M .m N MA m NB EM m Em T .P E0. n L .A V

(No Model.)

No. 4 8,780., Patented Dec, 27, 1892.

. INVNTOR ZJ ATTORNEY.

THE NORRIS mans 00.. wuruu'rno" wumuu'rom a c.

2 t 6 6 h s W e .9 S 2 R m d 0 M 0 W VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

Patented-Dec. 27,1892.

W1 TNESSES 7x772 3nd 'J/YJ ATTORNEY,

ROBERT E. STEPHENSON, OF INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA.

VALVE-OPERATING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,780, dated December 2'7, 1892.

Application filed August 22, 1892. $erial No. 443,815. (No model.)

anism. for steam engines.

The object of my improvements is to provide means, operated directly by the main rod, or the side rod of an engine, whereby the steam valve is adjusted, reversed and returned as desired, thereby doing away with the two eccentrics and adjunctive devices or-.

dinarily employed in such operation, and accomplishing the same results with greater ease and simplicity of parts.

To this end my improvements have reference to an attachment for the main rod, adapted to be adjusted to equalize the cut-off of the valve, by its connection with my form of mechanism; have reference to a pair of shafts, one mounted within the other, and adapted to be adjusted circumferentially; have reference to a disk mounted on the inner shaft and an annulus supporting the adj usting lever set to different adjustments through its connection with said innershaft; have reference to a slotted piece or guide, also carried by said annulus, adapted to be adjusted thereon according to the amount of lap and lead on said valve; and have reference to other points of detail hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings on which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts: Figure 1, represents a side View of the principal parts of an engine, the steam chest and cylinder being in section and my valveoperating mechanism attached to the main rod; Fig. 2, a perspective view partially in sec tion, of one form of my valve-operating mechanism; Fig. 3, an enlarged view of a valve, and the steam ports in section, illustrating their position with regard to said mechanism, shown enlarged in end view; and Fig.4,1a similar view to Fig. 3, showing another view of the valve with regardto its ports, and the corresponding position of the operating mechanism, illustrating an extreme position of the same. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 enlarged detail views of a sliding collar; Fig. 8, a similar view of the inner shaft, and Fig. 9 aperspective View of a simple shaft for valves not requiring to be reversed.

The ordinary form of operating mechanism for the valves of locomotives and similar engines which are required to be reversed readily, is by means of the well known eccentric rods and operating eccentrics, with their ad junctive operative connections. In my form of operating mechanism for valves, Ipropose to do away with these eccentrics and their adjacent parts, and connect said mechanism directly with the main rod (or if desired, the side rod in a locomotive) of an engine, which parts will give the necessary rotative action to the mechanism as will be hereinafter described, illustrated and claimed.

The letter A designates the fly wheel of a stationary (or the driving wheel of a locomotive) engine. The letter B, the crank connected by the main rod 0, to the piston rod D, mounted in the cylinder E, supplied with steam by the operation of a valve F, havim a valve rod G, and rocker H, at the other end of which is the connecting rod I to which my valve-operating mechanism is connected as will now be described. A box J, Fig. 1, supplies abearing for a shaft K, having a slotted crank L at one end, which is rotated by a c necting pin operatingin said slot,-the pin m being carried by a bracket M adj ustably mounted on said main rod, as seen in Fig. 1. This pin will travel in the path of an ellipse as the crank rotates, as indicated by dotted lines in this figure. The shaft K is hollow and affords a bearing for the inner shaft N having a disk 0, keyed to one end opposite the crank L, and carrying a pin 0, operatinu an adjusting lever P, by engagement with 2 slot 0 therein, as seen in the figures. The outer end of the lever is pivoted to'an extension g, of an annulus Q, mounted on the disk 0, as seen in Fig. 2. 'lheother, or inner, end of the leves carries a pin p, which engages with the connecting valve rod I, as indicated by the dotted lines, Fig. 2. I propose to adjust this pin 19 to different positions with regard to the central axis of the shafts K and 3. By the term lead isinea'nt the width of opening of the steam port when the piston is at the'end of its stroke, as shown in Fig. 1, and in a larger viewin Fig. 3. Fori'nstance,

if the lap be'threefou'rthsof an inch, and the 'lead determined on be one-eighth'of 'an inch,

the total, or seven-eighths of an'i'nch', is the distance that the center of'the guiding slot in the guide R is set away from the central axis of the shafts. This distance is indicated by the 'two vertically dotted lines in Fig. 3, passing through said points, and is constant for each engine. The'cut-off or amount of travel of the valve is variable, however, in order to allow of giving the engine more steam when greater power is required, either in operating machinery or hauling atrain. In these cir- "cumstances, the valve ports are opened wider .and kept open longer, to allow. the steam greater action on the piston. I

Referring to Fig. 3, the dotted position of the valve shows'it'lapping equally over both ports; the full line shows it in the position it assumes when the operating mechanism is as shown in this figure,'that is, with the'pin p inthe' center of the guiding slot,'and at a distance' from the central shaft axis equal to the distance at a, representing'the lap plus the lead of the valve. The rotation ofthe mechanism by the main rod would now merely open each port the amount of the lead. That is, it will open the steam port on the right the amount of the opening as shown on the left, when the point in the pin 0 is carried to the other side of the central axis. To increase the amount of opening,or vary the cut off, the pin is adjusted back and forth within the guiding slot according to which way the engine is desired to run. This is done by retating the disk 0 and the pin 0 carried thereon, which acts on the adjusting lever to ef fect this change of position. This rotation of the disk is effected by sliding a collar S,

- carrying-pins s, which pass through straight the slots may be reversed on the two shafts instead of as shown in the figure. Referring to Fig. 2, if the collar be slid axially to the right, the pin 0 will be thrown in the direction of the arrow and throw the pin 19 from the extreme position shown in this figure; the effect of this action on the valve will be explained later. Thus it will be seen that the rotation of the inner shaft with regard to the outer shaft, will vary the distance of the pin 10 from the central shaft axis,this rotation being accomplished in this construction by the slidin'g'collar and intermatched grooves, as above described. The action of this adjustment of the pinp to andfrom the central axis, with regard to the valve,'will be explained by'refere'nce to Fig. 4. When the shafts rotate in the direction ofthe arrows,

Fig; 3', the crank arm L and extension q of the annulus, will assume thevertical position shown in Fig. 4t,the pin 1) being in the dotted position in the center of the slot.- The corresponding position of the valve isshown bydotted lines. If now the disk, and pin 0 thereon, be thrown in the direction of the arrow, by the means'above described, the adjusting leverand its-pin p'will likewise be thrown to the right, and move the valve from the dotted position tot'hat shown in fn'lllines.

The full port opening is thus secured,and, as shown, the travel'of the valve will be the greatest, when thepin o; which-operates the valve connecting rod, is at oneextre'me. This action reverses the engine anda'dmits the steam through the opposite port from that shown in Fig. 3.

In order to open the left/port, when the valve is in the dotted position, and thus effect a movement of the engine in the other direction, it is only-necessary to slide the collar S in the other direction, or to theleft, Fig. 2, andth-us throw the pin 0 over to the left from the position shown in Fig. 4.. It will be to the construction herein shown and described, and in fact I may use the adjusting lever without the slotted guide piece R. The construction shown, however, is preferable.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be observed that the bracket piece M is also slotted. This is to allow of adjustment of the bracket on the main rod in order to equalize the cutoff of the valve; that is, to make each side of the valve travel the same with regard to the steam ports. The slot in the crank L allows the pin m, to travel in the path of an ellipse, as indicated by the dotted line, and effects a sliding action ofsaid pin with the crank. Thus it will be seen, that this mechanism for operating the valve is directly connected to the main rod; is simple and effective in its operation; and does away with the ordinary devices usually employed for operating the valve, with their bulky arrangement and construction.

Figs. 3 and 4, are partly in the nature of diagrams, the rock shaft simply being indicated, to illustrate the operation of the valve correspondingto the movement of the operating mechanism. Also Fig. 1, is taken from the front, while the other figures are taken from the opposite side, as a point of view, in order to illustrate the parts more clearly. The pin m may be otherwise carried by the main or side rod than by the bracket piece M thereon. Such, however, isa convenient construction to allow of adjusting the same to equalize the cut-off.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, I have shown in detail and enlarged, the preferred form of sliding collar S. It is made in two parts and bolted together as shown, each part being provided with a stud or projection s as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, which stud or projection extends through a spiral slot on each side of, the shaft K into engagement with the spiral groove in the shaft N, as shown by the section of said shafts in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 shows the spiral grooves in the inner shaft, and the end view shows the strengthening center portion of the shaft left between the grooves. The collar being thus in two sectons may be readily removed when necessary. The stud .9 being square and chamfered as shown in Fig. 7 provides sufficient strength to rotate the inner shaft and to slide in the spiral grooves there- 1n. and the cut-off adjusted. t

I have thus far illustrated and described my valve operating mechanism adpated to a valve which requires to be reversed. It is to be remarked, however, that when the mechanism isapplied to an engine having but one motion, and not requiring to be reversed, the sliding collar and other parts of the reversing mechanism may be dispensed with. Fig. 9 shows the simple slotted shaft without the reversing mechanism; in this form it is employed to give aconstant lead with an equal cut-off, the two shafts beingrthen combined in one. This equal cut-off with constant lead is an advantage that my device possesses over a single eccentric, the latter not being capable of giving such constant lead and equal cut-off of the valve. My mechanism may be employed either with a rocker arm as shown, or it may be directly coupled to the valve stem G giving a cheaper and simpler construction. v

The slotted bracket M on the main rod, is very important, as it can be set to give an equal cut-off of the valve on any engine, although after once set it may never need to be changed. I lay claim to the same broadly.

Having thus fully described my invention The valve may thus be readily reversed whatIclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a valve operating mechanism, the com bination with the main or side rod of an engine, and a pin or projection carriedthereby,

of a crank having a slot for said pin or projection, a shaft for said crank, an inner shaft mounted therein, means to rotatively adjust one shaft with respect to the other, and maintain such adjustment, a valve for the engine, operating rods therefor, a pin or projection engaging with the valve rods, and interconnecting means between the latter pin or projection, and the said inner shaft, whereby the throw of the valve is effected, and the same varied according .to the adjustment of said pin or projection of the valve rod to and from the center of the shafts.

v 2. In a valve operating mechanism, the combination with the main or the side rod of an engine, carrying a pin or projection, of a double shaft mounted in bearings adjacent thereto, a crank on oneshaft operatively con-f nected to said pin or projection, a pin or stud carried by the other shaft eccentric to the axis, means to rotatively adjust said shafts with respect to each other, a lever rotated by the latter shaft and having a pin or projection, and engaged by the said pin or projection'of the inner shaft to vary the position of the lever pin to and from the central shaft aXis,a valve, and an interconnection between the lever pin and said valve. I

3. In a valve operating mechanism, thecombination with the main or the side rodcarrying a pin or projection, of apair of shafts, one mounted within the other, and supported adjacent to said main rod, a slotted crank on the outer shaft, the slot slidingly engaging with said pin-or projection, a stud pin rotated by said inner shaft, means to effect and maintain the adjustment of one shaft with regard to the other, an annulus about said inner shaft, a lever pivoted thereto and engaging with the latter stud pin to be oscillated by it as desired, a valve, and operative connections between said pivoted lever and said valve, substantially as and for the purpose described. Y

4.. In a valve operating mechanism, the combination with the main or the side rod of an engine, and a pin or projection therefrom, of a crank operatively connected to saidpin or projection, a hollow shaft therefor, an inner shaft and a stud pin rotated with and supported by said inner shaft, an annulus outside of said latter pin anda movable piece- I 3 other. q j I I '5. In a valve operating mechanism, the combination with a hollow crank shaft and means to rotate it, of an inner shaft having a disk and a projecting pin on said disk, means to rotatively adjust said shafts with regard to each other, an annulus loosely mounted on said disk, a movable piece carried by said an nulus and having a pin or projection, a slotted guideon said annulus for said pin or projection, the pin on the disk engaging with said'movable piece to vary the position of the pin on the movable piece within its guide, a valve, and connections between said valve and the latter pin to vary the throw of the same by the change of position caused by adjustment of the disk and pin with regard to said annulus.

6. In avalve operating mechanism,the combination with a pair of shafts concentrically n1ounted,and means to rotate the outer shaft, of a disk carriedby the inner shaft and having a stud pin projecting therefrom, means to rotatively adjust the shafts with regard to eachother, anannulus loosely mounted on said disk, and having an extension, a lever pivoted to said extension at one end and having a .pin at the other end, and a slot slidingly engaged bysaid disk pin or the stud to change the position of the lever pin to and fromthe axis of the shafts, a slotted guide carried bysaid annulus and engaging with the lever pin, a valve, and interconnections between the valve and lever pin, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. In a valve operating mechanism, the herein described disk having a stud pin or projection,and an annulus looselymounted thereon having an extension, of an adjusting lever pivoted to said extension at one-end and having a pin at the other end, and a slot between the ends for engagement with said stud pin on the disk, whereby the lever is oscillated by the adjustment of the disk within'the, annuius, substantially as and for the purpose described.v

8. In a valve operating mechanism, the combination with' a shaft and a disk thereon having a stud pin or projection, of an annulus loosely mounted on said disk, and a slotted guide piece adj ustably carried bysaid annulus, the said piece being mounted on the annulus according to the lap and lead of the valve to be operated, an oscillating and adjustable lever-adjustably pivoted to said annulus and havinga pin at the opposite end engaged by said slot in the guide, and a slot slidingly engaged by a disk pinor projection to operate the lever and carry the lever pin back forth in its guiding slot, for the purpose described.

9. In a valve operating mechanism, the hereindescribed slotted guide and annulus, the same consisting of a bracket piece having a slot lengthwise therein, and adj ustably mounted on said annulus, a rotatable piece loosely mounted Within said annulus, a movable piece carried by said annulus and having a :pin guided by said slot and engaged by said inner rotatable piece to cause thepin to vary its position in its guiding slot, substantially as and for the purpose-described.

' 10. In a valve. operating'inechanism, the hereindescribed slotted guide, the same consisting of a bracket piece having a longitudinal slot adapted to guide a pin as described,

and transverse slots for adjusting the said piece on its support, substantially as shown and described.

11. In a valve operating mechanism, the combination with a rotatable disk having a pin or projection, and an annulus loosely mounted thereon, of an adjusting lever, one end pivoted to said annulus, and the. other end having a pin orprojection adapted to be connected to a valve rod, and having a slot slidingly engaged bysaid pin on the disk to oscillate said lever and maintain it in itsadjusted position, and a guide having a-longi tudinal-slot and adjustably mounted on said annulus for-the purpose described,wh'ereby the rotation of the disk within its annulus will vary the'position of the pin in the guid ing slot, substantially as-and for the purpose described.

12. In a'valve operating mechanism, the

herein described slotted bracket M, the same consisting of a slotted plate portion adapted to be mounted on the main rod of an engine, and a pin portion or projection adapted for engagement with adj unctive devices,whereby said engagement may be varied according to the adjustment of. the plate portion on said main rod.

13. In a valve operating mechanism, the combination with the main orthe side rod of an engine, and a valve for said engine,.of a valve operating device consisting ofa shaft, a crank at one end adjustably connectedto the .main or side rod to be rotated thereby,

and having a pin or projection locatedout of the axis at the other end of said shaft, operative connections between said pin-or projection and said valve to operate the latter.

14:. In a valve operating mechanism, the

combination with themain or the side rod of an engine, and a valve therefor, of a bracket piece slottedv for adjustment on said main or side rod to effect an equal cut-off, and valve operating mechanism consisting of a shaft, a slotted crank at one end slidingly engaged with a pin. or projection from said bracket piece, to be rotated thereby, and having a pin or projection from the other end of the shaft eccentric to the axis thereof, and operative connections between said pin or projection and said valve, for the purpose described.

15. The hereindescribed sliding collar S,

the same consisting of split pieces, each havmg a projecting pin or stud 8 extending inward, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. In a valve operating mechanism, a rotating shaft having a crank at one end and an 

